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Effect of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Associated Hormonal Responses on Semen Quality and Sperm Output of Bulls

Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

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ABSTRACT

The objective was to determine if semen quality and output could be affected by pharmacological doses of adrenocorticotropin. Three Holstein bulls, one 7 yr old and two yearlings, were treated with 200 IU adrenocorticotropic hormone every 8 h for 6 days. Effects of treatment on semen traits and peripheral concentrations of glucocorticoids, testosterone, and androstenedione were measured. Viability of spermatozoa (percentage motility and percentage intact acrosomes), ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, and weekly sperm output were unaffected by adrenocorticotropin treatment up to 8 wk posttreatment. The proportion of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets and head abnormalities was elevated slightly from .8 ± .1 and 4.2 ± .3% to 1.3 ± .2 and 5.8 ± .4% during treatment. Total glucocorticoids increased from 11.9 ± 2.7 ng/ml before treatment to 73.5 ± 4.1 ng/ml during treatment. Testosterone decreased in the yearling bulls from 5.5 ± .9 ng/ml plasma before treatment to.5 ± .5 ng/ml afterward; the decrease began 8 h following the initial adrenocorticotropin injection and persisted until 24 h following last injection. The mature bull had normal testosterone concentrations for the first 4 days of injection, and decreased concentrations for the last 2 days of injection. Semen viability, concentration, and sperm output are unaffected by a pharmacological administration of adrenocorticotropin and subsequent marked increase of glucocorticoids and decrease of testosterone. Only a small increase of semen content of immature sperm or sperm with abnormal heads may be associated with these marked endocrine changes.

¹ Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.